SEATTLE -- Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels dodged another disastrous moment when the 25-year-old MVP candidate came out of a Wednesday night traffic accident unscathed.For the Seattle Mariners, who host the Angels in a three-game series beginning Friday night, a recent road trip also felt like a car wreck.While Trout and the Angels (59-64) let go of their postseason hopes a long time ago, the surprising Mariners have found a way to stay in the wild-card race for most of the season. Eight losses in nine games have put Seattle (68-65) four games back in a crowded race for the final American League wild-card spot, so it probably wont be long before the Mariners are just playing for pride again.Coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of AL West-leading Texas, the Mariners saw their slim hopes of a division title go up in smoke and are calling in the firetrucks in terms of the AL wild-card race. Wednesdays 14-1 loss to the Rangers in the series finale felt like a splash of gasoline on a fire that had been burning for most of Seattles 1-6 road trip.It was a rough trip, Mariners manager Scott Servais said after the loss and a series that saw Texas outscore Seattle 29-11. There is no doubt.Ace Felix Hernandez got touched up in the finale, another hit to a pitching staff that has seen veteran Hisashi Iwakuma fall on hard times and southpaw James Paxton get slowed by a torn fingernail.No Seattle starter has had a rougher recent stretch than rookie Ariel Miranda, a 27-year-old left-hander who was acquired for veteran Wade Miley at the trade deadline but wasnt officially added to the full-time rotation until last week. Seattles decision to DFA veteran Wade LeBlanc left Miranda, who is listed as Fridays probable starter, as a permanent member of the rotation -- then he struggled in four innings of work during a 9-3 loss to the White Sox over the weekend.Thursdays roster expansion didnt provide much help to the struggling rotation, as Seattle activated veteran reliever Evan Scribner and added outfielder Ben Gamel in a trade with the Yankees.The Angels could also make a series of post-Sept. 1 moves, but the most important one was the move Los Angeles didnt have to make. Trout was reportedly involved in a three-car accident after Wednesdays game but came away injury-free.Angels general manager Billy Eppler said in a prepared statement late Wednesday night that he had spoken with Trout, who said he feels fine, but no update Thursday was available as to Trouts status for the upcoming series.That Trout was not seriously hurt comes as a huge sigh of relief to an Angels team thats well out of the postseason hunt but could still end up having the AL MVP. Trout, despite his teams struggles, is having another banner year as he ranks among the ALs top five in batting (.319), runs (102) and stolen bases (21). His .999 OPS ranks second to Bostons David Ortiz (1.022), while Trout has the ALs best WAR at 8.9.His Angels have actually been playing pretty well as of late, as they carry a five-game winning streak into Seattle. Left-hander Brett Oberholtzer (3-2, 5.165 ERA) is scheduled to make his second start as an Angel on Friday after being claimed off waivers from Philadelphia. The former Houston Astros pitcher has a 4-0 record and a 0.75 ERA in four career appearances against Seattle, including an inning of relief for the Angels last month.Los Angeles could also be using a new closer in this series, as Fernando Salas was traded to the Mets on Thursday. Salas had taken over for Joe Smith, who had taken over for injured closer Huston Street before being dealt to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. Miami Marlins Gear . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Miami Marlins Store . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/ . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Fake Marlins Jerseys .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. Miami Marlins Shirts . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. FLINT, Mich. -- A witness says a woman was crying and screaming while former Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves twice forced her back into a Flint-area motel room.A judge heard testimony Tuesday to determine whether Cleaves goes to trial on sexual assault charges.Coleen Dowdall recalled what she saw at the Knights Inn in Mundy Township in September 2015. She says she heard yelling and opened her door.Dowdall says Cleaves was naked whilee trying to pull a woman back into a room.dddddddddddd She says moments later the scene was repeated, with Cleaves still naked and the woman wearing a bra and underwear.Dowdall says the woman was screaming. A 911 call and a security video were played in court.Cleaves has pleaded not guilty. The hearing resumes Wednesday. ' ' '